Share This Story!

One year later, Red Sox reflect on 'small' recovery role

BOSTON - Five bouquets of flowers are lying on the ground, a half-block from the Boston Marathon finish line, just across the street from the Boston Public Library. Two pairs of running shoes with inscriptions

One year later, Red Sox reflect on 'small' recovery role

Jeff Bauman waves to the crowd as part of pregame ceremonies commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings.(Photo: Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports)

BOSTON - Five bouquets of flowers are lying on the ground, a half-block from the Boston Marathon finish line, just across the street from the Boston Public Library.

Two pairs of running shoes with inscriptions are outside the Forum restaurant patio on Boylston Street. There are several plastic bracelets. And numerous strands of beads.

This is where the first bomb went off a year ago at the Boston Marathon, forever changing this community. It was the deadliest terrorist attack on domestic soil since 9/11, causing four deaths and wounding at least 264 others.

The Boston Marathon finish line no longer represents the conclusion of this country's most famous race, which will be run Monday, but symbolizes American freedom, and a celebratory moment of triumph.

This is where the Boston Red Sox halted their World Series championship parade last year. They got out of their duck boats, and outfielder Jonny Gomes walked to the finish.

Gomes placed the 2013 World Series trophy on the line, and meticulously draped a 617 Boston Strong jersey over the trophy. He stepped back with his teammates, letting everyone soak in a feeling of triumph.

When you walk around this city and past that point on Boylston Street,'' Red Sox pitcher Jake Peavy says, "you know that is the spot where the bomb went off.

"But now, since Jonny and this organization did that, there's a different perspective.

"It takes away a little bit of the disdain that spot has and brings us some joy. There's the triumphant moment of a World Series trophy sitting on that spot instead of always thinking that's where a bomb was once displaced.

Jeff Bauman, who lost both legs in the bombing while awaiting his girlfriend to cross the finish line, says he'll forever be grateful for the gesture.

"Gomes is the man,'' Bauman told USA TODAY Sports. "He bleeds Boston Strong. And I can't think of any better guy to reclaim such a sacred place.''

The Red Sox, in a poignant ceremony Sunday evening before their game against the Baltimore Orioles, paid tribute and honored families of the four victims - Krystle Campbell, Sean Collier, Lingzi Lu, and Martin Richard - the survivors, police officers, EMTs, and medical staff.

The family of Lu, a 23-year-old Boston University graduate student, traveled 7,000 miles from China to be part of the ceremony and attend Monday's's marathon.

"It's hard to celebrate this night,'' Gomes tells USA TODAY Sports, "because this isn't the anniversary of us winning the World Series. This is the anniversary of a terrorist attack on the United States of America. We can't forget the four lives we lost. And the limbs. And the people that have a different life now. It's tough, and so sad. I'm still mad as hell.''

The Red Sox evoked a combination of tears and cheers from the Fenway Park crowd Sunday during the tribute. It began with people holding banners of encouragement from all 50 states, and the public address announcer reminding the crowd of Red Sox DH David Ortiz's famous speech: "This is our ….city. No one is going to dictate our freedom."

While the University of Massachusetts marching band and Boston Pipers Society began performing Highland Cathedral, police officers, doctors and nurses walked onto the field by the Red Sox dugout.

Then, all eyes were directed to the Green Monster.

Out walked Carlos Arredondo, better known as the man in the cowboy hat, who put Bauman in a wheelchair and pushed him to an ambulance moments after the bombing, the photo becoming an iconic image of the attacks.

And out stepped Bauman, forever a hero in this community for identifying the bomber while hospitalized, walking alongside Arredondo with his two prosthetic legs and crutches.

They received a thunderous ovation, were followed by the families of the victims, along with others hurt in the bombings and dozens of running groups.

It was a magnificent tribute, honoring heroes and survivors both, with Fenway the backdrop from the start of that awful day to the Red Sox's unexpected championship months later.

"We all feel a greater sense of pride being part of a community that rallied around a tragic event,'' Red Sox manager John Farrell said, "and on a small level, were part of the healing process.''

"It's amazing what a sport can do to make a city heal, to make human beings heal,'' said Lucas Carr, a former Army Ranger who spent five years in Iraq and overseas. "You have the Boston Marathon bombing. The Red Sox winning the World Series. And you have Jonny Gomes placing the World Series trophy at the finish line.

"It brought everybody in this city one step closer to closure.''

Carrhad just crossed the finish line and was receiving his medal when the bombs went off. He will race again Monday.

Gomes hopes to be at the finish line waiting. He says he plans to rush out of Fenway to the marathon after Monday's's 11 a.m. game, cheer on Carr and everyone else, offering support like any spectator.

"I'm sure it's going to be tough for some people at the finish line,'' Gomes said. "But history in America is normally started and documented on tragedies. There's also history after the tragedy that's written.

Members of the Boston Police and Massachusetts State Police take part in pregame ceremonies honoring the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings at Fenway Park.
Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell walks onto the field as part of pregame ceremonies in honor of the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings at Fenway Park.
Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports